Oil tankers have been attacked in the Gulf of Oman, with explosions heard and the UK maritime safety group warning of an unspecified incident. The huge vessels have been identified as Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous and were evacuated. The Front Altair, which was carrying crude oil, is suspected to have been struck by a torpedo, according to shipping industry newspaper TradeWinds. But where is the Gulf of Oman and who attacked the tankers in the Middle Eastern Gulf?
The two tankers were hit in suspected attacks in the Gulf of Oman.
The crews have been evacuated according to shipping sources.
Oil prices have surged by 4 percent, according to Reuters after tensions were raised followed by a dispute between Iran and the United Staes.
This comes after the US claimed Iran used explosives to blow huge holes in four ships – including two Saudi oil tankers – anchored in the Persian Gulf last month.
What happened in the Gulf of Oman?
Two oil tankers have been hit in suspected attacks amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States of America.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations, which is part of the Royal Navy, has urged “extreme caution”.
The group put out the alert early this morning and said it was investigating.
According to Reuters, 21 crew members abandoned ship after incident in Gulf of Oman.
Reports of the explosions are yet to be officially confirmed by any oil tanker firms or regional governments.
Where is the Gulf of Oman?
The Gulf of Oman connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, which subsequently runs to the Persian Gulf.
It borders Iran and Pakistan on the north, Oman on the south, and the United Arab Emirates on the west.
In 2018, scientists confirmed the Gulf of Oman contains one of the world’s largest marine dead zones, where the ocean contains little or no oxygen and marine wildlife cannot exist.
The dead zone encompasses nearly the entire 63,700-square-mile Gulf of Oman and the cause is a combination of increased ocean warming and increased runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers.
Who attacked the tankers in the Middle Eastern Gulf?
The incident comes a month after four tankers were attacked off the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates authorities blamed an unnamed “state actor” for those attacks, which involved naval mines.
The US has said Iran was behind them, which Tehran has denied.
Josh Frey, of the 5th Fleet, said in a statement: “US naval forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6.12am local time (8.12am GMT) and a second one at 7am.
“US Navy ships are in the area and are rendering assistance.”
The attacks increased long-standing tensions between Iran and the US and its allies in the Gulf.
Iran has denied involvement in the apparent attacks today and last month, and has also accused the US of agressive behaviour.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is currently visiting Iran in a bid to de-escalate the situation.
Speaking yesterday after talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Mr Abe warned that any “accidental conflict” must be avoided.
Mr Abe is due to meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today, for the second and final day of his visit.